Hope and empathy as factors of therapeutic response in cancer patients: philosophical, narrative and psycho-oncological approach and the theoretical model Hope–Empathy–Therapeutic Response

ABSTRACT

A cancer diagnosis constitutes a profound existential experience that affects not only physical health but also the psychological, social, and meaning-related dimensions of human life. Contemporary medicine recognizes that the experience of illness is not limited to its biological dimension but also involves complex psychosocial and existential processes.

The aim of the present article was to explore the concept of hope in the experience of patients with cancer and to analyze the role of empathy in the therapeutic relationship between healthcare professionals and patients. A sub-objective was the proposal of a theoretical model that connects the concepts of hope and empathy with therapeutic response.

This is a theoretical study based on a narrative literature review of the international literature in the fields of psycho-oncology, narrative medicine, and philosophy of medicine. The literature search was conducted in international databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) and included publications from the period 2018–2026, as well as classical theoretical works considered fundamental to the study of hope and empathy.

Hope emerges as an important psychological and existential resource for patients with cancer, contributing to psychological resilience and motivating active participation in treatment. The empathy of healthcare professionals strengthens the therapeutic relationship, cultivates trust, and supports the maintenance of hope . Based on the findings of the literature, the theoretical model Hope–Empathy–Therapeutic Response (HETR) is proposed, describing the dynamic relationship between empathy, hope, and therapeutic response.

Conclusions: The integration of humanistic and philosophical approaches into clinical practice may contribute to the development of more patient-centered forms of care and to the improvement of the quality of life of patients with cancer.

Keywords: hope, cancer, empathy, psycho-oncology, narrative medicine